“Stupid *prairie dog* holes,” Teaspoon muttered as he bent
over once more to check his horse’s front right ankle.

The day before, in the middle of nowhere, Bess had stepped in
one of those “stupid holes” so Teaspoon had been on foot ever since,
taking it slow and easy for the horse.

“Seems to be holdin’ up girl, hopefully we’ll fine’ly get
someplace and take better care of ya’.”

Teaspoon stood up, stretched his back to pop his backbone, and
bounced from one foot to another. The last few miles of walking had
just about killed him (he was sure Bess wasn’t faring much better) and
as he took in their surroundings, he saw that he wasn’t any closer to a
chair or a drink. In fact, they were still in the middle of nowhere,
and all he saw to keep him and his horse company were the *saguaro*,
which, oddly enough, were quite plentiful. One even looked like it was
waving at him.

“Ya’ offerin’ me a drink?” Teaspoon asked, grinning broadly
and touching his hat in greeting to the huge cactus. “If there’s a
place to sit, I’m inclined to join ya’.” The laugh that burst forth
verged on the hysterics and he knew the hold he had on his senses was
*slim*.

Unable to keep a job, or his sanity, he’d been wandering for
months. The only thing that helped him maintain his grip on life was
whiskey. He couldn’t connect with anyone, men or women. There’d been
women, but not a one that meant anything to him. It wasn’t what he
wanted. Friends and family were important to him, what mattered most,
but all that changed when…he shook his head, refusing to remember.

Sighing, he patted Bess on the neck and trudged forward. All
that mattered now was a place to *lift* his spirits…with some spirits,
as well as a place to bed Bess for the night so she could heal.
Unfortunately, neither one appeared to be an option so Teaspoon prayed,
something he hadn’t done in years, hoping someone would listen so that
he and Bess didn’t have to sleep outside another night. And he wasn’t
alone another night.

The sun was dipping in the sky, dusk settling in, and the
beautiful colors – reds, yellows, oranges, and pinks – painted a
majestic view. Unblinking, Teaspoon stared off in the distance,
watching the natural fireworks, as he and Bess crested a small hill.
Tears were streaming down his cheeks before he realized he hadn’t
blinked in a while. Wiping his face, he blinked to restore his vision
and saw a small building in the distance. His eyes widened and he
blinked a few more times, thinking it was a mirage.

“Hot damn Bess!” he hollered, grabbing his hat off his head
and throwing it in the air. “We’re gonna sleep good tonight!” Bess
sidled away from her master; sure he’d truly gone mad this time.

Teaspoon chuckled, leaned over, and picked up his hat. A few
swipes to get the dust off only seemed to cause the dust to drift onto
his shirt, which was covered along with his pants. He glanced down but
really didn’t care how he looked; just that he had enough money in his
pocket to get drunk. How he’d been brought to this point, he refused to
remember.

“Come on Bess, let’s get movin’,” he said sadly. He pulled
gently on the reins and the two lonely figures headed for the structure
that called like an oasis in the middle of all this vast, empty land.

After what seemed like miles to his feet, Teaspoon and Bess
arrived at their destination. A quick glance around was all it took to
see everything. To the right of the stucco building, there was a stable
where a boy sat in the entrance; to the left was a small cottage. What
made him smile was the word “cantina” in white over the door of the
main structure. But then, his smile faltered and he felt a sense of awe
rush over him at the appearance of a young woman in the entrance to the
cantina. She was tossing out dirty water from a wash basin and the
fading light shone off her skin, giving it the look of melted *copper*.
He was mesmerized but was quickly brought from his reverie by a soft
cough.

“You need a place for your horse?”

Teaspoon stood, dumbfounded, and grinning like a fool. Her
voice was melodic and the accent was heaven. Bess nudged him. “Oh,” he
stammered, “um, yes’am. She needs some salve. Stepped in a hole aways
back.” He pointed clumsily over his shoulder, not taking his eyes off
the beauty.

“Alejandro,” she called, holding the basin against her hip as
she appraised Teaspoon, making him wish he’d brushed himself off
better. The boy from the stable ran to her. “Take this man’s horse,
give
her good care.” Immediately, Alejandro ran over, gave Teaspoon a big
grin, and took the reins. Slowly, he led Bess away, talking softly to
the horse as she walked beside him. Occasionally, he patted her neck
gently. Teaspoon smiled, knowing Bess was going to be well taken care
of. Now, for him.

“You, filthy man,” she teased, the smile she flashed him was
inviting. “Come you need a bath.” She turned, her skirt swirling as she
did, and gave him one more beguiling smile before disappearing into the
cantina.

Teaspoon grinned giddily, looked up to the heavens, and tipped
his hat. “I guess someone is there.”